Late Sequelae of Induced Abortion
Authors: David A. Grimes, Mitchell D. Creinin
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2004)

Letters20 July 2004Late Sequelae of Induced AbortionDavid A. Grimes, MD and Mitchell D. Creinin, MDDavid A. Grimes, MDFrom University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570; and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3108.Search for more papers by this author and Mitchell D. Creinin, MDFrom University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570; and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3108.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-141-2-200407200-00020 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:We agree with Dr. Hoeldtke that systematic reviews of the literature are superior to narrative reviews. However, our article was invited as a primer for internists, not as a systematic or narrative review. Hence, our citation of the literature was by nature incomplete.Dr. Hoeldtke makes a common error in logic regarding potential late sequelae of abortion: post hoc ergo propter hoc reasoning (after the fact, therefore on account of the fact). That one event (for example, suicide) follows another event does not imply a causal link between the two. In a notable example of this erroneous reasoning, ...References1. The Elliot Institute. Tenth anniversary of Bobbitt mutilation brings new answers [Press release]. 9 January 2004. Accessed at www.afterabortion.org/bobbitt.html on 2 June 2004. Google Scholar2. Gissler M, Berg C, Bouvier-Colle MH, Buekens P. Pregnancy-associated mortality after birth, spontaneous abortion, or induced abortion in Finland, 1987-2000. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2004;190:422-7. [PMID: 14981384] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. House seeks restrictions on “bogus” abortion clinics. Family Plan World. 1991;1:2, 5. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. Adler NE, David HP, Major BN, Roth SH, Russo NF, Wyatt GE. Psychological responses after abortion. Science. 1990;248:41-4. [PMID: 2181664] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Bradshaw Z, Slade P. The effects of induced abortion on emotional experiences and relationships: a critical review of the literature. Clin Psychol Rev. 2003;23:929-58. [PMID: 14624822] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7570; and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3108. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoInduced Abortion: An Overview for Internists David A. Grimes and Mitchell D. Creinin Late Sequelae of Induced Abortion Nathan Hoeldtke Late Sequelae of Induced Abortion William J. Stone Metrics 20 July 2004Volume 141, Issue 2Page: 161-162KeywordsBirthHearingMedical conditionsMorbidityMortalityPregnancyReasoningSuicideSurgeonsSystematic reviews ePublished: 20 July 2004 Issue Published: 20 July 2004 CopyrightCopyright © 2004 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...